Hp-origin Canadian MP pulls out of race over sexual harassment charge
TORONTO : After facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards staffers, an Indo-canadian MP from the ruling Liberal Party has withdrawn from the Federal elections scheduled for September 20.
Raj Saini, the incumbent member of the House of Commons from Kitchener Centre, made the announcement in a statement released on Saturday just a day after he was defended by Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Since nominations for the elections closed last Monday, Saini’s exit will leave the party without a candidate in the riding, as constituencies are called in Canada. The ruling party is already trailing the principal opposition Conservatives in voter preference across a range of fresh surveys. That agency, along with others, places the Conservatives at least 2% ahead in national vote share.
In fact, according to the poll tracker 338 Canada, the Conservatives led by Erin O’toole are now in a position to garner the highest number of seats, at 143, with the Liberals at 132 in the 338-seat House of Commons.
Referring to the stories of alleged harassment and inappropriate acts, first broken by the outlet CBC News, Saini said, “The statements are unequivocally false. I have never acted inappropriately towards staff, volunteers or constituents.”
He said he was “very proud” of his work for the riding, but “continuing my campaign no longer serves the best interests of my family, staff members, campaign team, and constituents”. Saini represented the riding since 2015.
Saini, who has roots in Himachal Pradesh, added, “For everyone’s health and safety, I have taken the painful decision to end my campaign for the 44th Parliament.”